Analysis of blood stream infections: Antimicrobial susceptibility and associated types of extended spectrum β-lactamases

Purpose: To investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility and extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production by clinical isolates of Escherichia coli (ESBL-EC) and Klebsiella species (ESBL-KP) associated with blood stream infections (BSIs).Methods: Bacteria isolation and identification were carried out using basic bacteriological and biochemical techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed according to the guidelines of the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI). Vitek 2 Compact automated system was used toconfirm the identifications (ID) and antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST). The ESBL produced by E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates were  phenotypically characterised using Modified Double Disc Synergy Test (MDDST), as recommended by CLSI.Results: All (100 %) isolates were sensitive to imipenem and meropenem, while susceptibility to other antibiotics varied. ESBL genotypes, viz, blaTEM, blaSHV and blaCTX were encountered in the BSIs. For ESBL-EC, TEM, SHV and CTX producers accounted for 33, 16.67 and 58.3 %,  respectively, while 75, 91.7 and 100 % of ESBL-KP were TEM, SHV and CTX producers, respectively. In ESBL-KP, 67 % coexisted with all three genotypes (blaTEM, blaSHV, and blaCTX, while 8.3 % of ESBL-EC coexisted with the three encoding genes (CTX, SHV and TEM).Conclusion: ESBL E. coli and K. pneumoniae associated with BSI have been identified as TEM, SHV and CXT producers, with more ESBL-KP coexisting with all three than ESBL-EC. Keywords: β-Lactamases, Genes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia col

A Three-Year Look at the Phylogenetic Profile, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Associated Virulence Genes of Uropathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i>

Uropathogenic Escherichia coli is the most common cause of urinary tract infections, resulting in about 150 million reported annual cases. With multidrug resistance on the rise and the need for global and region surveillance, this investigation looks at the UPEC isolates collected for a 3-year period, with a view of ascertaining their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and associated virulence determinants. The identification of bacteria isolates, antimicrobial susceptibility, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) production was determined with a Vitek 2 Compact Automated System (BioMerieux, Marcy L’Etoile, France). ESBLs were confirmed by the combined disc test (CDT) and basic biochemical test. The isolates were distributed into A (11%), B1 (6%), B2 (62.4%), and D (20.6%). Resistance to the penicillin group was high, between 88% and 100%. Additionally, resistance was high to cephalosporins (100%) in 2017 and 2018. The isolates were all sensitive to tigecycline, while resistance against imipenem and meropenem was low, at 4–12% in 2017 and 2018 and 0% in 2019. The results also showed that ESBL isolates were seen in 2017 and 2018. They were confirmed positive to CTX/CLA (88.5%) and CAZ/CLA (85%). By 2019, the number of resistant isolates reduced, showing only 4% ESBL isolates. Two virulence genes, fimH (46%) and papE/F (15%), were detected among the isolates by PCR. In conclusion, this study found that phylogroups B2 and D carried the most virulence genes as well as MDR and ESBL characteristics, suggesting the UPEC strains to be extraintestinal pathogens responsible for UTIs

Association of vaccine awareness and confidence on the influenza vaccination status of Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia residents

While the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health has made seasonal influenza vaccination available for several years, there remains a scarcity of vaccination coverage reports outside of the capital city. Understanding factors that affect vaccine uptake is important in developing strategies to improve coverage. This analytic cross-sectional study utilized data from 1377 adult residents randomly selected through a multi-stage sampling procedure from the three administrative sectors of Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Estimates of influenza vaccine coverage were determined for various demographic groups. Logistic regression was applied to determine the associations among the respondents’ awareness on influenza vaccination services, their confidence on the influenza vaccine efficacy and safety and their vaccination status. The estimated influenza vaccination coverage was 44.15% (95% CI = 41.55; 46.79). The proportion of residents who received the influenza vaccine differed between demographic groups. Al Ahsa residents who were aware that influenza vaccine is available and those who were aware that it is available for free were 2.7 and 6.3 times more likely to be immunized (p < .001) compared to those who were unaware. Residents who were confident that it is effective in preventing influenza and its complications were 3.6 times more like to be vaccinated while those who were confident that the vaccine is safe were 4.5 times more likely to be immunized (p < .001). Seasonal influenza coverage in Al Ahsa remains low despite the availability of free immunization in the government health facilities. Awareness about vaccine availability and confidence in vaccine efficacy and safety were important determinants of vaccination status